Orioles @ Mets lineups and pregame notes (updated)

Greetings from Citi Field and my apologies on slacking on the blog. Those of you who follow me on Twitter, probably know I was off this weekend running my first marathon. Those of you who don’t, well, now you know.

A few pregame notes…

*Adam Jones has moved up to fourth in this week’s American League All-Star voting, with Matt Wieters and J.J. Hardy standing pat at third at their respective positions. You can read more on that here.

*The Orioles announced that they have agreed to contracts with three more of their 2012 draftees, bringing their total to 17.

The team announced it has signed right-handed pitcher Nick Grim (17th round), right-handed pitcher Dennis Torres (28) and catcher Steel Russell (32), who is the son of bench coach John Russell. The Orioles also signed undrafted free agent first baseman Nik Balog, a senior out of University of San Francisco.

*Endy Chavez (right hamstring strain) did some running on the field this afternoon and said his right hamstring pain is pretty much gone at this point. Chavez hopes to avoid going to Florida to rehab and to just continue with the team before being sent out to play for Double-A Bowie.

*Jake Arrieta said he thinks he had a minor case of food poisoning over the weekend — tracing it back to some hotel room service — but said he’s stil starting tonight. Arrieta didn’t keep anything down yesterday, but said he felt much better today.

*Former Oriole Justin Turner was activated from the Mets’ DL yesterday and will face Baltimore for the first time since the O’s designated him for assignment in 2010. Turner was claimed by the Mets and has done well with New York.

*Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel talked to MLB Network earlier today and you can watch that interview here. It aired in the Orioles’ clubhouse and Hammel got some good-natured ribbing from teammates.

For those who have asked about Hammel’s sore right knee, it’s much better than it was earlier in the season and he said it doesn’t change anything he does on the mound. The biggest thing is to avoid running, which is why he did a slow jog to first base in Atlanta, and Hammel has kept his stamina up by doing pool work and the elliptical in between starts. Hammel had his knee drained of fluid once and he didn’t rule out doing it again before the season ends. It’s also pretty likely he gets offseason surgery to get rid of the cartilage and correct the problem entirely.

*Matt Lindstrom (right middle finger injury) threw an inning in the Gulf Coast League today and will do so again on Wednesday. Assuming there are no problems, he will go on a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie and pitch again Friday. Showalter said Lindstrom will be reevaluated after that.

*Speaking of Friday, it’s the date that right fielder Nick Markakis is tentatively scheduled to start doing some hitting. Markaks is with the team –as is Chavez — and is doing his best to be patient throughout the process.

*Nolan Reimold (herniated disk) will not rejoin the Orioles before the All-Star break, as manager Buck Showalter hinted at worse news, but would only go as far as to count out Reimold for the season’s first half until the team gets the results from a second cervical specialist.

“He will not be back before the All -Star Break, but let me get the rest of the information,” Showalter said before speculating further Monday afternoon. “I know where we are going.”

Reimold saw neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Riley in Baltimore over the weekend in hopes of providing more clarity about why he is still experiencing discomfort and tingling in the area –and specifically his left side– although Thursday’s MRI showed the herniated disk had shrunk. Showalter said the team has an idea what it is dealing with after this weekend’s appointment, but did not want to make the news public until Reimold had a second opinion, also in Baltimore at Johns Hopkins Hospital, on Monday.

*Joel Pineiro (right shoulder capsule) is scheduled to throw five innings in the GCL on Tuesday.

5 Comments

On 105.7 I heard Brittany say that watching the Orioles get dominated by Dickie was her absolute favorite game to watch? After 14 years of losing they’ve done so much right, won so many exciting games, yet a night where they lose 5-0, get 1 hit, give up a grand slam is your ‘favorite’. I tip my cap to Dickie & respect him but I’m a fan so it was far from my favorite. Are you another Jen Royle? Only satisfied when Baltimore loses? Why do you cover the Orioles? I don’t want/need homer coverage, just not relish in the losing coverage, maybe you would prefer covering the Mets, I know I would if you did. You’re not my cup of tea so I’ll avidly avoid everything you do.

It was fun to watch because it was the closest I’ve come to watching a no-hitter live. It was pure dominance and something I can appreciate because I love baseball. Did you hear some of the player comments last night out of the Orioles side? It was impressive by everyone who was there.
But please, if you must overreact, feel free to get off this blog.

Congratulations on your 1st marathon. Look on the following website: rasac.com since they have races almost every weekend (2 miler to marathons). However, most of their races are in Harford County and occur on Sundays at 8AM.

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